Interpol has been called in to assist with a criminal investigation into the match-fixing scandal involving Safa, the Hawks said.

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“There are individuals of interest who are abroad, who we are interested in going to, [in order] to get to the bottom of this case,” said Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko, explaining the involvement of Interpol.

This week the SA Football Association (Safa) suspended its president, Kirsten Nematandani, and four senior administrators after the release of a Fifa report.

The report alleged match-fixing took place in relation to warm-up games played during the 2010 world cup soccer tournament held in South Africa.

Ramaloko said the Hawks investigation into the matter began after a case of corruption was registered on Tuesday.

“The investigation is at an early stage.” Nevertheless, “individuals of interest” had already been identified.

Ramaloko said that while the monetary figure involved in the alleged match-fixing could not be confirmed, the corruption case was being investigated in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

“Section 15 [of the act] is talking about the sporting fraternity. If any element of match-fixing is picked up, we will be looking at any contravention of this act.” Fifa handed over the report about alleged match-fixing to SAFA last week.

Subsequently, it was announced that Nematandani, Safa COO and interim CEO Dennis Mumble, head of referees Adeel Carelse, head of national teams Lindile Kika, and former head of national teams Barney Kujane, would take a voluntary leave of absence after their names were mentioned in the Fifa report.

They would all give evidence in a commission of enquiry that was to be set up.

Safa said it had apologised to Fifa after “compelling evidence” was found that the results of World Cup warm-up matches were fixed.

The report was completed by the global body’s former head of security, Chris Eaton, after it emerged that a bogus football development company, Football 4U, provided referees for the warm-up matches.

The company was later discovered to be a front for an Asian-based betting syndicate headed up by Wilson Raj Perumal, who was later convicted of match-fixing.

I thought Managers always declare their gifts every time they get them, Did the President and others never disclosed their gifts from Football 4U company? or they thought that was not necessary? dump. I tell you someone in the Football, who is eyeing the Presidency Chair blew the wistle after discovering that Football 4U was used, he knew what kind of people run that company and he kept quite until now. Football Mafias, Kirsten is finished, he should have left long time ago, he is not wanted in Football, everybody knows that.

Why do we have Police involvement now in FIFA matter, one of the FIFA rule is that Police and Government must stay away from Football, but now why the Hawks and Interpol? It remain to be seen, if for instance an individual take FIFA to court, that individual will be banned in Football, but now that suit FIFA and they dont say anything about the Police, makes one think, our guys where trapped by one big man, I feel sorry for Kirsten & Mumble as for Benny ke sono maar.

@ Papage, FIFA wants minimal government and police interference in running football, however when crime happenes in football, goverment has to intervene since they are the custodian of laws of the countries, match fxing falls under corruption activites in terms of SA laws, hence the police are now involved.

Thank you Madimetsa, but The Zimbabwean National Team that was implecated in match fixing, one Coach wanted to go to court to clear his name, but was advised against that, it was said that FIFA does not deal with Courts and Police, so that makes me to say FIFA want evrything done according to them, they at times think they are above the law, they can do as they please with teams affiliated to them and never want the Government and the Police to come in, but on their terms. That is why a hate Football Mafias

@Papage you are so correct . These guys are unfortunately going to be made examples of how to deal with corruption so that not every Jack and Jill comes on board the gravy train. FIFA is the most corrupt association no wonder why it is followed by issues of this sort . A simple way to prove this is to follow the supply of products (uniforms for teams , balls etc ) and services (movement to their intended destinations) of world cups post 2000 and see who provides those services. you will realise it is the same companies that keep doing so and as we speak they are servicing Brazil and RSA in AFCON . Why ? Because proceeds under the circumstances have a predetermined way of filtering back to some influential pple at FIFA